Georgians will have two new license plates to consider when renewing their vehicle registration in 2004. Governor Sonny Perdue today unveiled the two new wildlife license plates that will replace the existing wildlife license plates that expire next year. The wildlife license plate program benefits conservation efforts underway through the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division.
“Georgia’s wildlife license plate program has given our citizens an opportunity to take an active role in wildlife conservation efforts,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “The small additional fee that Georgians pay for the plates has allows the Department of Natural Resources to accomplish great things for wildlife in our state.”
One of the new wildlife tags features a bald eagle with the American flag. Sales of this license plate fund conservation efforts for nongame and endangered wildlife and protected plants. While the Department of Natural Resources’ Nongame Wildlife and Natural Heritage Section is charged with the conservation and management of more than 950 species of nongame wildlife, including endangered species, there currently are no state general funds provided for these projects. Conservation programs for these species are funded solely through fundraising initiatives like the nongame wildlife license plate, direct donations and federal grants. This license plate replaces the original wildlife license plate featuring a bobwhite quail in longleaf pine habitat. Since 1997, more than 841,000 of these license plates have been purchased by Georgians, raising over $13.4 million for wildlife conservation.
“The nongame wildlife license plate has been a critical source of funding for programs that support Georgia’s nongame and endangered wildlife,” said DNR Commissioner Lonice Barrett. “Without the funding generated from the nongame tag, many of the conservation projects that protect Georgia’s native wildlife wouldn’t exist today.”
Some of the projects that have been funded by the nongame wildlife license plate include the first surveys for the swallow-tailed kite, conservation of important shorebird habitats, surveys of rare fish and mussels and conservation of many endangered and threatened species including North Atlantic right whales, loggerhead sea turtles, wood storks and flatwoods salamanders. In addition, the license plate funded the acquisition of 5,600 acres of important wildlife habitat at Big Dukes Pond Natural Area, Moody Forest Natural Area and on the Conasauga River.
The other license plate features a white-tailed deer and a bobwhite quail, Georgia’s state game bird. Sales of this license plate benefit the agency’s Bobwhite Quail Initiative, an effort to restore quail habitat by working with private agricultural landowners to incorporate land management objectives to benefit quail and other species. This license plate replaces the other wildlife license plate that was introduced in January 2001 featuring a covey of quail. To date, more than 125,000 of these license plates have sold, generating over $1.5 million.
“Georgia’s Bobwhite Quail Initiative is one of the best examples of how efforts applied to one species can have a significant impact on a wide variety of wildlife,” said Commissioner Barrett.
The Department of Natural Resource selected the new license plates after test marketing several new designs. In December 2002, Georgians were given an opportunity to vote on the new designs through the agency’s web site. More than 10,500 Georgians participated in the on-line poll. The two new wildlife license plates that were selected were the overwhelming favorites by those that voted on-line.
“I strongly encourage Georgians to purchase a wildlife license plate for their car or truck to show their support of wildlife conservation efforts,” said Governor Perdue.
Both wildlife license plates will become available at local county tag offices on December 1, 2003 and can be purchased for a one-time special tag fee of $20 per tag. The Department of Motor Vehicles Services annual registration fee and ad valorem tax fee still apply. The wildlife license plates can be purchased at the office counter or by indicating your selection on your license plate renewal form.
For more information on Georgia’s wildlife license plates and the important projects they support, log onto www.georgiawildlife.com or contact the Georgia Department of Natural Resource, Wildlife Resources Division at 2070 U.S. Highway 278 SE, Social Circle, GA 30025 or by calling (770) 918-6400.